Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has called on Zimbabweans living abroad to scale up investment back home, particularly in housing, as the Government intensifies efforts to mobilise resources for national infrastructure and urban development.
Speaking in Baku, on the sidelines of the World Urban Forum 13th Session, the Vice President met Zimbabweans based in Azerbaijan and underscored the strategic role of the diaspora in accelerating Zimbabwe’s socio-economic transformation.
He highlighted that Zimbabweans abroad possess critical expertise across sectors such as education, international relations, business, science and medicine skills that remain vital to national development.
The Vice President also noted ongoing work under the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development, which launched the Retired Experts and Skills Database in December 2025 to capture and utilise the professional capabilities of Zimbabweans in the diaspora. The initiative is being coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to build a comprehensive national skills database.
He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to creating a conducive investment climate through the Ease of Doing Business reforms, saying Zimbabwe is determined to attract both diaspora and foreign direct investment.
He added that Azerbaijan falls under Zimbabwe’s Embassy in Moscow, where a trade attaché will soon be deployed to deepen trade relations, facilitate investment and enhance diaspora engagement.
Official statistics show that diaspora remittances exceeded US$2.5 billion last year, cementing their position as one of Zimbabwe’s top foreign currency inflows.
Zimbabweans living in Azerbaijan expressed readiness to contribute to national development through trade, investment and skills transfer.
Predict Mutepfe, the Founder of the Africa Caucasus Forum Azerbaijan, said Zimbabwe stands to benefit from exploring opportunities in beef, horticulture, tea and tobacco markets in the region. He also called for platforms to document diaspora skills to strengthen the country’s human capital base.
According to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, diaspora remittances are now the country’s second-largest source of foreign currency, highlighting the growing importance of Zimbabweans abroad in sustaining the national economy.
